Photo Flash: Billy Carver and the Children in Mind

First Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour, then Alan Ayckbourn's Woman in Mind had rights withheld because of Broadway producers' plans to mount the plays. So what does any self-respecting off off Broadway producer do? If they happen to be winner of an excellence in Playwriting Award at the New York Fringe, then they lock themselves up in their apartment for 72-hours and write their own script. And that was exactly the response of Monserrat Mendez, writer of the sequel to The Importance of Being Earnest, ‘Thoroughly Stupid Things'. This feat is all the more remarkable because Mendez has not been able to pen another full-length theatre script since his "comic masterwork" in 2008 and has been nursing a serious head injury since he was brutally assaulted outside his home in March.

Propelled into action by adversity, Billy Carver and the Children in Mind was born and now he is taking his first steps with the cast, ready for opening in early July. Billy is the werewolfian brainchild of feted writer Joannie Roman Redd, but she thinks of ending it all when reviews for her latest book recommend she puts her stories on the big screen. A fast-paced farce ensues as her pack of hangers-on are horrified at the prospect of their livelihood being killed, but all that Joannie wants is a chance for true love. Will Tristan find his tart? Will Priscilla ever leave her BAFTA behind? Will Rick's silver bullet do the trick? Will William ever get his words out? Will May make it on her own? Will Christopher leave his wife? And what's the big deal with diaphanous?